Purifier



Aug- 11, 1925. 1549M H. F. SMITH v PURIFIER Original Filed June 26.,1922 2 She ets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 11, 1925};

HARRY E. SMITH, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAS E t DAYTON, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIO.

PURIFIER.

Original application filed June 26, 1922, Serial No. 570,972. Dividedand this application filed September 29, 1923. Serial No. 665,684..

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HARRY F. SMITH, a c1tizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Purifiers, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to purifying apparatus, and more particularly toapparatus for removing impurities from gases.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a gas powerplant, comprising purifying apparatus, which is simple in itsconstruction,'andefi'ective in its operation, and easily maintained inrepa r.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription thereof set out below when taken 1n connection with theaccompanying drawing.

This invention is a division of the copending application of Harry F.Smith Serial No. 570,972 filed June 26, 1922 for improvements in methodof, and apparatus for, generating gas.

In the drawin in which like characters of reference designate like partsthrough the several views thereof Fig. 1 is an elevational view of apower plant comprising, as shown, a producer, a purifier, a gas engineconstructed to operate uponthe gas generated within the producer and atthe same time to furnish suction for causing the generation of such gas;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing in detail the constructionof the purifier;

Fig. 3 is a. horizontal sectional view, through the purifier withcertain parts thereof broken away to more clearly disclose theconstruction of the apparatus; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the scraper forming one element of thepurifier.

A combustible gas such as producer gas or the like, ordinarily containssome 1mpurities, the quantity and character of the impurities dependingupon the nature of the fuel from which the as is generated, the methodof generatin t e gas and other operating condltions. gas of thischaracter is ordinarily sufiiciently free from impurities to permit ofits burning under a boiler, or the like, in which case the impuritieswould be consumed along with the gas. But such a gas is frequentlysubected to uses requiring the removal of substantially all theimpurities before such use.

The apparatus which forms the subject matter of this invention isparticularly adapted for use in connection with a gas producer, or thelike, for removing the 1mpurities from this generated gas.

As shownthis purifier consists of a shell 19 into the upper end of whichan inlet pipe 11 opens, the gas to be purified being introduced into theshell 10 through this pipe. The open upper end of the shell is providedwith a top or closure 12, by means of which the shell is tightly closedduring operation. The shell 10, and the top 12 are preferably made ofthin sheet metal, and the upper free edge of the shell 10 is rolled orbeaded as shown at 13, to provide a seat for the top, suitable packing14 being interposed between the top and the seat 13, to prevent leakage.The top is preferably provided with a. plurality of depending guides 16which extend down into the shell 1.0 to properly center the top when itis in position. Intermediate its ends, and preferably substantiallymidway of its height, the shell 10 is provided with a transversepartition 15, which divides it into two chambers the upper 17 beingadapted to house the purifying mechanism while the lower 18 acts as anequalizer to prevent undue pulsations in the as passing throu h thepurifying chamber 1%, as a result of t e operation of the gas engine.

The partition 15 is provided with a sub stantially central openingtherein, and a hol low fitting 20, which is secured to the partition 15in any desired manner, surrounds this opening, the upper end of thisfitting being cone sha ed to receive a correspondingly conical s apedopening in the member 21 which serves to support the purifying materialthrough which the gas, entering the chamber 17 from the producer, asseson its way to the engine. This mem or 21 preferably consists of a panshaped member, having upstanding side walls 22, and a somewhat ovalfalse bottom 23. The false bottom 23, as shown particularly in Figs. 2and 3 is provided on its upper face with a plurality of concentricgrooves 24, and is also provided with a plurality of radially arrangedslots or passages 25. This false bottom has positioned upon its uppersurface a layer of fabric 27, which is preferably a good grade offlannel, or the like, such as the wool filter cloth which is an articleof commercial use. This cloth is covered with a layer of finely dividedpurifying material 28, which material is preferably of the samecharacter as the fuel used in the producer. If the producer is operatingupon charcoal the layer of purifying material 28 will consist of finelydivided charcoal or charcoal dust. If the producer is operating uponcoke this layer will consist of coke dust or breeze. The primary purposeof the cloth 27 is to provide a support for the finely divided purifyingmaterial which permits the ready passage of the gas therethrough, butprevents any of the finely divided purifying material being carriedalong withv that gas. The filter cloth is preferably stretched smoothlyand somewhat tightly over the false bottom 23, any desired means beingused for retaining this clothin position and properly stretched.Preferably, however, the cloth is retained in position by means of a'piece of rope 30 which is pressed down into a suitable groove 31,within the member 21, the proportions of the groove being such that asthe rope is pressed into position it will draw the cloth tight, and willremain in position holding the cloth properly r stretched. If desired aspring, such as is disclosed in the above referred to applications maybe utilized for this purpose but experience has shown that a piece ofrope is just as satisfactory and considerably cheaper and less difficultto assemble.

The gas introduced into the chamber 17,.

through the inlet pipe 11, passes downwardly through the layer ofpurifying material, the layer of cloth 27, and thence through thepassages 25 in the false bottom, impurities being removed as it passesthrough the purifying material, the purified gas passing through themember 20 into the chamber 18 and thence outwardly through the pipe 33.

The generated gas, which is to be freed of its impurities by theapparatus shown herein, is often used for operating a gas engine. Insuch cases the operation of the gas engine furnishes the suction forblasting the fuel in the producer, and the inlet manifold of the gasengine is directly connected to the outlet pipe 33. 'The inlet pipe 11is connected to the oiftake pipe of the producer, so that operation ofthe gas engine will furnish suction for drawing the blast through thefuel bed of the producer to cause generation of combustible gas and forwithdrawing this combustible gas from the producer vv thence through theinlet pipe 11 into the shell 10 of the purifier, thence through thelayer of purifying material and out through the outlet pipe 33 to theengine.

As the engine operates pulsations will generally be set up in the outletpipe 33 which have a tendency to agitate the puritying material withinthe layer 28 to interfere with its effectiveness of operation. In orderto prevent this the chamber 18 is provided, in the lower part of thepurifier, which chamber acts somewhat in the nature of an equalizer toabsorb these pulsations and prevent them from affecting the purifyingmaterial.

The function of the concentric grooves 24 is to prevent localization ofthe gas into streams as it passes through the layer of purifyingmaterial. as would be the case if the upper surface of the false bottom23 were smooth and the passages 25 were as widely separated as shown.But by providing these concentric grooves the gas is free to passthrough substantially the whole area of the layer of purifying materialand after it passes therethrough can travel through the various groovesto the passages 25.

The false bottom 23, as shown, is preferably oval shaped, since suchconstruction permits of maintaining the layer of fabric 27 snugly incontact with the false bottom 23 throughout it extent. If this layer offabric does not lie snugly against the false bottom 23 it will tend tovibrate or oscillate during operation of the apparatus and thus disturbthe layer of purifying material, the effect being so pronounced at timesas to break the continuity of this layer of puritying material thusallowing some of the gas to pass through without being subjected topurifying action.

Because of the character of the layer of purifying material the presenceof considerable quantities of water or other liquid impurities withinthe gas will tend to destroy its effectiveness. VV-ater carried by thegas will be removed therefrom, along with other impurities, as the gaspasses through the purifier and this water will tend to clog up thepurifier. In order to prevent this a condenser is interposed within thedelivery pipe 11, between the purifier and.the.pro-

ducer. As shown this condenser preferablv consists of several lengths ofpipe'40. but of course any other desired type of condenser may be used.

Inasmuch as the impurities which are removed in the purifier aredeposited on the upper surface of the layer of material 28 the tendencyduring operation is for these impurities to form a layer or crust overthe top surface of the purifying material to clog up the passagestherethrough and destroy the effectiveness of the purifier. In generalpractice the layer 28 is formed by placing a quantity of the purifyingmaterial to be used upon the'false bottom 23, suflicient of IOU litf

permit removal of this layer of material a' scraper, which consists of acurved blade 45, to which'is attached a rake member 46, is mounted uponthe lower end of the rotat able shaft 47. which is positioned within anopening in the top 12, a suitable enlargement or handle 48 beingprovided, upon the outside of the top, to permit ready manipulation ofthe scraper. The handle 48 is preferably substantially round with adepending flange 49 which contacts with the upper surface of the top andtends to prevent leakage through the opening in which the shaft 47 ismounted. A suitable spring 50 is positioned l tween the inner face ofthe top 12 and a disc 51 carried by the shaft 47, to hold the flange 49against the top, while at the same time permitting ready rotation of theshaft 47 and the scraper member carried thereby. The blade 45. as shownparticularly in Fig. 2 rests upon the upper surface. of the flange 22and as the blade is rotated it tends. because of its curvature, toscrape off any excess material and force it over the edge of the flange.Sometimes the material deposited upon the layer 28 tends to cake but therake member 46, which consists of a wooden bar having a plurality ofteeth 53 imbedded therein, will break up this coating. as the shaft 47is rotated, to thus restore the cleaning effectiveness of the apparatus.

Details of construction of the engine 60 are not shown since this enginemay,be of any desired type. The particular engine shown is the wellknown Delco Light air cooled engine, details of construction of whichare shown in the patent to Charles F. Kettering and William A. Chryst,No. 1,341,- 327. dated May 25, 1920. However, any other type of enginewhich is adapted to operate upon producer gas may be used. As statedabove during operation the purified gas passes from the chamber 18 intothe pipe 33 which is connected to the inletpipe 61. of the engine, andthe exhaust gas resulting from the combustion of this gas within thecylinder of the engine passes outwardly through the exhaust pipe 62,into the vent pipe 63, which is connected to atmosphere.

Vhile the gas generating system shown herein as illustrating a properembodiment of the invention comprises an internal combustion engine.this type of purifier may be utilized where the gas is intended for somepurpose other than the operation of a gas engine. Of course the purifierwould function to remove impurities from the gas, re' gardless of theuse to which that gas might be put.

\Vhile the form of apparatus herein described and illustratedconstitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not. limited to this precise form andthat changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a gas generating system of the character described, a purifiercomprising a hollow shell having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. aperforated partition within the said shell intermediate the saidinletandoutlet openings, the upper surface of said partition beingconvex, alayer of filter cloth upon said convex surface, means for holding saidfilter cloth tightly in position upon the said perforated partition anda layer of purifying material upon said filter cloth.

2. In a gas generating system of the char acter described, a purifiercomprising a shell having an inlet opening and an outlet openingtherein, a perforated partition within said shell intermediate the saidinlet and outlet openings. the upper surface of said partition beingconvex. a circular groove surrounding the said upper surface of thepartition, a layer of filter cloth upon said partition. a rope withinsaid circular groove' being adapted for holding the filter cloth tightlyin position upon the perforated partition, and a layer of purifyingmaterial upon the said filter cloth.

3. In a gas generating system of the character described. a purifiercomprising a shell having an inlet opening and an outlet openingtherein: a perforated partition within said shell intermediate the inletand the outlet opening. the upper surface of said partition being convexand constructed to receive a layer of filter cloth thereupon. and saidpartition having a circular groove within its upper surface. constructedto receive a rope for holding the filter cloth stretched tightly uponthe perforated partition.

4. In a gas generating system of the character described. a purifiercomprising a shell having an inlet opening and an outlet openingtherein; a hollowpartition within said shell intermediate the saidoutlet and inlet openings, the upper surface of said partition beingconvex. and having a series of perforhaving an inlet opening and anoutlet opening therein; a partition within said shell intermediate thesaid inlet and outlet openings,

6. In'a gas enerating system of the.character describe apurifiercomprising a shell having an inlet opening and an outlet openingtherein; a artition within said shell intermediate sai inlet and outletopenings, for supporting a layer of purifying material, said partitionhaving a plurality of perforations therethrough, the upper surface ofsaid partition having a series of concentric grooves therein connectingthe said perforations.

7. In a gas generating system of the character described, a purifiercomprising a shell having a gas inlet opening and-a gas outlet openingtherein; a perforated partition Within said shell, intermediate the saidinlet and outlet openings, the upper surface of said partition beingconvex, and constructed to receive a filter cloth upon said surface,said artition having a groove therein surroun ing said convex surfacefor receiving means for holdingthe filter cloth tightly in position uponsaid perforated partition.

8'. In a gas enerating system of the character described, a purifiercomprising a shell having an inlet openingand an outlet 0 ening therein;a partition Within said shel inv termediate the said inlet and outlet 0enings,

constructed to receive a layer 0 fabric thereover and to have a layer ofpurifying material superimposed on said layer of fabric, said partitionbeing 1provided with a plurality of perforations t erethrough the uppersurface of said partition being provided with grooves connectin the saidperforations whereby is secure substantially uniform distribution overthe la er of puri ing material superimposed t ereon of t e gas or thelike passing through said perforations.

9. In a gas enerating system of the character describe a purifiercomprising a shell having an inlet opening and an outlet openingtherein; a partition within said shell intermediate the said inlet andoutlet openings, a layer of fabric upon said partition and adapted tosupport a superimposed layer of purlfying material thereon, saidpartition having a plurality of perforations therethrough, the uppersurface of said partition being provided with grooves connecting saidperforations whereby is secured substantially uniform distribution overthe layer of purifying material of the gas or the like passing throughsaid perforatlons.

10.In a gas generating system of the character described, a purifiercomprising a shell havin a gas inlet opening and a gas outlet. openingtherein; a perforated partition within said shell intermediate the inletand outlet openings, and adapted to support a layer of purifyin materialthereon, a rotatable handle extendlng through the top of said shell, anagitating scraper mounted upon said handle and adapted upon rotation ofthe handle to agitate and scrape the upper surface of the layer ofpurifying material, and sprin means for ur g the operating handle anscraper towar t he layer of purifying material. Y

'11. In a gas generatin system of the character described, a puri ercomprising a shellhaving a gas inlet opening and a gas outlet openingtherein, a perforated artition within said shell, intermediate saidinlet and outlet openings the upper surface of said partition beingconvex and constructed to receive a filter cloth upon said surface, anupstanding flange surrounding said perforated partition, said partitionand upstanding flange constituting a shallow pan adapted to conta n alayer of urifying material, and a groove within said pan surrounding theperforated partition and ada ted to receive means for holdin the filtercloth tightly in position-upon sai perforated partition. a

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

HARRY F. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. WRIGHT, ESTHER REHMUND.

